Staff Spotlight: Meet VBC Gary Parker Jr.
Get to know the men and women at the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services who serve those who sacrificed for our freedoms.
The ADVS Staff Spotlight will be published every second and fourth Friday of the month on the ADVS social media pages and website with tidbits and fun facts about our employees.
The Staff Spotlight will highlight staff from all of our departments within ADVS including our Executive staff, Veterans Services Division, Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemeteries, Arizona State Veteran Homes and more!
This week’s Staff Spotlight features our Southern Region Veterans Benefits Counselor Gary Parker Jr.!
Name: Gary Parker Jr.
Role at ADVS: Veterans Benefits Counselor
When did you start at ADVS: July 21, 2015
Did you serve in the military: Yes, I was a CMSgt in the U.S. Air Force for over 27 years. I was stationed around the world including Spain, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Korea.
Did anyone in your family serve: Yes, mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law and a number of uncles and cousins also served in the military.
What do you do at ADVS: I help counsel, develop, and submit claims to the VA for Veterans and surviving spouses.
Why did you decide to join ADVS: I wanted to give back my services for a country that gave me so much in my career.
Why is your job important to helping Arizona Veterans: Through my training and now 8.5 years of experience, I can file claims to the VA that will correctly identify what the Veterans and surviving spouses are requesting from the VA to include all the evidence needed to support their claims.
What do you enjoy about working at ADVS: My ability to work at the Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson; work at the Itinerant site the American Legion Post 66 in Green Valley, AZ; perform Outreach at the US Penitentiaries in Tucson; and work with my Southern Region cohorts.
Outside of ADVS, what do you enjoy doing: Building LEGOs, spending time with my family, reading, and working on home projects when I can find the time.
If you had a superpower, what would it be: The ability to fly
Thank you for the work you do for our Arizona Veterans!